Trumpet players leading a ritual procession at the Yungdrung Bon Monastery of Nangzhik in Tibet
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Yungdrung Bon monks gathered inside the temple of Menri Monastery in Dholanji, India. Photo credit: Unknown
The Field of Accumulation: The Lineage of the Profound Guidance through AH
In the Yungdrung Bön tradition, the place where the deities and objects of veneration are gathered is called the “Tsok Zhing”, the “Field of Accumulation”. It is also sometimes translated as the “Field of Merit” or the “Merit Field” because what is being accumulated by paying homage and making offerings to this place is merit, or virtue. This is the Merit Field according to the Menri Tradition from a drawing done by the great master and scholar HE Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche.
The Lineage of the Profound Guidance through AH, also known as the AH Tri, is one of three lineages of Dzogchen teachings in the Yungdrung Bön tradition. (See previous posts regarding The Aural Transmission of Zhang Zhung and the Renowned Three Cycles of Dzogchen.) This lineage of Dzogchen teachings was closely associated with the Dru family. From Menri Abbot Nyammé Sherap Gyaltsen until Menri Abbot Kunzang Gyaltsen, the lineage was passed down through the abbots of Menri Monastery.
1. Founder of the lineage, Me’u Gongdzö Ritropa. He is often referred to simply as Dampa, “The Sage” or “The Saint”. (See previous post, The Saint.) He exhibited many signs of accomplishment such as flying through the sky and leaving his hand and foot prints in stone. Although his primary focus was upon his meditation, he also wrote a number of texts. In addition to material he collected from other sources, he added his own gong ter, or mind treasure, to this collection. He organized the practice of the A Tri into 80 meditation sessions.
Founder of the AH Tri Lineage of Dzogchen teachings, The Saint, The Supreme Gongdzo Ritropa Rinpoche
2. Gomchen Barwa. He was an unconventional person and became a great yogi. He was known for odd and somewhat dramatic displays. One day, Gongdzo Ritropa took Gomchen to a grassy area that was quite wet. The lama knew that Gomchen was known to have been quite athletic in his youth. So he told him to make a great leap. In doing so, Gomchen slipped and violently fell down. In that very instant, he achieved spiritual realization without interruption. Rather than taking ordination, he remained a laymen his entire life. He had many disciples and attained the rainbow body of light.
3. Kyunggom Joyung.
4. Dampa Tsulshé.
5. Drogön Yorpo Mepal. He composed a commentary for the Guidance through AH teachings.
6. Dutsi Gyaltsen.
7. A Zha Lodro Gyaltsen, 1198-1263. He condensed the number of meditation sessions to 30.
8. Dru Dulwa Gyaltsen.
9. Druchen Gyalwa Yungdrung, 1242-1290 A.D. He was born into the Dru family in the area of Yeru Wensaka in Central Tibet. He received his monk vows from his older brother, Dru Dulwa Rinpoche. He was once the abbot of Yeru Wensaka Monastery which was founded by his family. He further condensed the number of meditation sessions of the Guidance through AH to 15 and composed the fundamental practice text “AH Tri Practice in 15 Sessions”.
10. Dru Namkha Odzer. He was the younger brother of Dru Gyalwa Yungdrung.
11. Dru Sonam Gyaltsen, 1268-1321. He was the nephew of Dru Gyalwa Yungdrung.
12. Dru Sonam Lodro, 1277-1341.
13. Dru Namgyal Kara
14. Rinchen Lodro. His mother was from the Dru family.
15. Nyammé Sherap Gyaltsen, 1356-1415. He is known as the Second Buddha and founded Tashi Menri Monastery in Tibet. (See previous post, Celebration of the Second Buddha.)
16. Rinchen Gyaltsen. He became abbot of Menri Monastery in 1415.
17. Namkha Yeshe. He became abbot of Menri Monastery in 1446.
18. Kunzang Gyaltsen. He became abbot of Menri Monastery in 1464.
19. Lodro Gyaltsen.
20. Tenpa Özer.
21. Nyima Özer.
Developing the Five Elements
Each of the five colors of prayer flags correspond with the five elements. Hanging them in clean, high places where the wind activates their qualities is a way to develop and strengthen the five elements within one’s own body, speech and mind.
The Field of Accumulation: The Lineage of the Three-fold Cycle of Dzogchen Proclamations
Tsok zhing according to MenriThe Yungdrung Bon Merit Field of the Menri Tradition
In the Yungdrung Bön tradition, the place where the deities and objects of veneration are gathered is called the “Tsok Zhing”, the “Field of Accumulation”. It is also sometimes translated as the “Field of Merit” or the “Merit Field” because what is being accumulated by paying homage and making offerings to this place is merit, or virtue. This is the Merit Field according to the Menri Tradition from a drawing done by the great master and scholar HE Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche.
Diagram highlighting the placement of the Dzogchen Lineage within the Merit Field thangkha.
#1-28 depicts the Lineage of the Three-fold Cycle of Dzogchen Proclamations. In Tibetan, the Dzogchen Drakpa Korsum Gyü.
1. The source of the lineage, the White Light Deity, Shenlha Ökar. He appears in the form of dzok ku, the enlightened Body of the Perfected Qualities and wears the corresponding ornaments. His compassion is all-pervasive.
2. The Five Victorious Families who have gone beyond bliss, aka The Five Buddha Families.
3. Chimé Tsukphü. He was the previous existence of the enlightened Lord Tönpa Shenrab Miwoche immediately before descending from heaven to earth.
4. Lhashen Yongsu Dakpa. He was the shen of the gods who received the teachings from Chimé Tsukphü.
5. Milu Samlek. He was the shen of the humans who received the teachings from Chime Tsukphü. He was born a prince in the ancient land of Tazik as his father, the king, was about to die. He was known for his intelligence even as a young man.
#6-10 The Transmission of the Changeless Sages
6. Lushen Yeshé Nyingpo. He is the shen of the lu, aka nagas, who received the teachings from Chime Tsukphü.
7. Ödzer Pakmé. He was a master from Tazik.
8. Münpo Künsal
9. Trulshen Nangden
10. Sangwa Düpa. He was a chief disciple of Chimé Tsukphü. He was born a prince of Tazik.
Translator and great yogi, Lama Tonggyung Tuchen
#11-14 The Transmission of the Scholarly Translators
11. Tonggyung Tüchen
12. Sé Bön Shari Uchen
13. Chétsa Kharbu
14. Nyachen Lishu Taring. A king and queen found a beautiful young girl in a forest. They named her Takza Liwer. Some time later, through the performance of ritual, she transformed herself into a man. However, she was still female when she wrote the root text for The Three-fold Cycle of Dzogchen Proclamations in the 8th century. As a male, he became heir to the kingdom and was called Nyachen Lishu Taring.
15. Dé Bön Gyimtsa Machung
16. Drupchen Chogye
17. Choza Bönmo
18. Zhotön Ngödrup Drakpa. He was an emanation of Lishu Taring and a tertön, or treasure revealer, who rediscovered hidden texts behind a statue of Vairochana in Lhodrak that were hidden by Lishu Taring during a time of persecution for the Yungdrung Bön.
19. Gyaton Jodé
20. Zhikpo Nangseng
21. Kyotön Ngakpal
22. Yotön Lhunpal
23. Sengé Drukdra
24. Bönzhik Lodé
25. Tokden Yungrin
26. Khetsün Sherdrüp
27. Yonten Sengé
28. The Second Victor and founder of Tashi Menri Monastery, Nyammé Sherap Gyalsten 1356-1415.
Nine Ways 